Time-resolved X-ray Computed Tomography (CT)

A PhD position in experimental physics in the field of time-resolved X-ray microscopy is available at at the Department of Physics (NTNU) in close collaboration with Equinor ASA.

By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to:

• Work on advanced time-resolved X-ray computed tomography (CT)
• Develop state-of-the-art instrumentation and measurement schemes
• Work towards viable carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions
• Obtain a PhD-degree in close collaboration with NTNU

We are searching for a creative, skilled and ambitious candidate to a collaboration project between the Norwegian energy company Equinor ASA and the Department of Physics at NTNU. Motivated by Norway and Equinor’s strong efforts to realize CCS (carbon capture and storage) in aquifers and in abandoned oil and gas reservoirs, the PhD student will work on methods to use X-ray computed tomography (“CT”) to study the behaviour of CO2 and native salt water under high pressure and temperature inside realistic rock systems. Phenomena to be measured and understood include phase transitions, ice and mineral precipitation, mechanical forces acting on the rocks, and corrosive effects. To this end, we plan to exploit recent advances in ‘computational imaging’, essentially integrating computer algorithms as an active part of the image formation process, thereby enabling better resolution, larger field-of-view, improved contrast, and 3D microscopy. While of huge scientific interest, time-resolved CT is difficult to perform with a satisfactory time resolution.

Advanced experimental methods based on compressed sensing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning will be adapted and further refined with the aim of time-resolved studies of liquid phase behaviour inside of porous rocks. The PhD candidate will further develop time-resolved X-ray microscopy methods using both our home-laboratories and world-leading synchrotron microscopy beamlines associated with the project. The sample systems to be studied include complex geomaterials, with special attention given to liquid and/or supercritical CO2 in porous media, which is an important topic also with regards to sustainability and climate change.

The candidate will work in an international team consisting of experts from the research department of Equinor ASA and from the Dept. of Physics at NTNU. The project will be carried out at the Rotvoll research laboratory of Equinor ASA and at NTNU Gløshaugen, both located in Trondheim. While Norway’s most attractive employer for engineering students, Equinor ASA, ensures the applicability and industrial relevance of the PhD project, Norway’s leading research environment for X-ray physics provides a congenial academic setting with several principal investigators, PhD students, postdocs and master students. The PhD candidate will thus be able to draw from an excellent knowledge base and outstanding research infrastructure. The project is financially funded by Equinor ASA.

The preferred starting date is 1 August 2023.

The research work will involve designing, constructing and using state-of-the-art experimental setups. Emphasis is put on developing sophisticated 4-dimensional (3D + time resolution) X-ray microscopy measurement schemes. Sophisticated analysis and modelling of large datasets, using concepts from artificial intelligence (AI), compressed sensing, and machine learning methods, are foreseen to be a key part of the work. In addition, the candidate is expected to participate actively in group activities at both Equinor and NTNU, including field trips, co-supervision of students, and social activities.

• The successful candidate has completed or is about to complete a master’s degree in physics, with good grades. Exceptional candidates with a background in closely related fields like nanotechnology, electrical engineering, or photonics will also be considered.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master’s level
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master’s degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s doctoral program.
• The position requires a strong interest in experimental physics, computing science and data analysis.
• Good working knowledge and interest in computer programming (e.g., Matlab, Python or C) are necessary to be successful in the position.
• The position requires spoken and written fluency in English.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with  Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

• Hands-on experience with X-ray equipment and computed tomography would be considered a strong advantage.
• Experience with instrumentation would be considered an advantage.
• Experience with quantitative microscopy would be considered an advantage.
• Knowledge of physical optics, in particular Fourier optics and imaging, would be beneficial.
• Experience with handling and analysing big data sets would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of phase transitions, thermal, liquid, chemical and environmental physics would be beneficial.
• Working knowledge of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language would be evaluated positively.

The successful candidates should be creative, ambitious and enthusiastic, with a strong ability to work independently and goal oriented. Good scientific writing and oral presentation skills are requested. He/she should enjoy interdisciplinary research and take keen interest in learning and working in teams, which is of high importance in this multidisciplinary project.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 501 200 per annum before tax.From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years. The preferred starting date is 1 August 2023.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in physics within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include :

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor’s and master’s education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.